The venue opened in 1979 as Liberty Field. Al Worthington was Liberty's head coach at the time. On May 3, 1986, the field was dedicated Al Worthington Field.[2]
In 1995, the venue's name was again changed, this time to Al Worthington Stadium. In 1998, the stadium won Sports Turf Magazine's "Diamond of the Year" award.[2]
Beginning in 1999, the stadium underwent a series of renovations. In that year, a 5,200 ft.² hitting complex was added, located down the left field line. Also, in 1999, the infield was resurfaced with bermuda grass. A new PA system and backstop were installed in 2000. 2003 construction added an indoor hitting facility, luxury boxes, and a clubhouse. Renovations completed in 2008 added stadium lighting and additional seating, which raised capacity by 600-700 spectators.[2]
With the addition of stadium lighting, Worthington Stadium's first night game was played on March 28, 2008.[2] On the same night, the stadium set a new attendance record of 3,183 spectators.[3] Liberty lost the game to Coastal Carolina 5-3 in 11 innings.[2]
In August 2011, the university announced plans for a new baseball venue. The plans called for the venue to be built near Williams Stadium, the university's football venue, and to hold 3,000 spectators. The project was projected to cost roughly $5 million. The announcement included plans for Worthington Stadium to become a softball venue.[4]
The stadium closed following the 2012 season. Its final game was played on May 13, 2012, in which High Point defeated Liberty 13-11.[5] It was demolished in 2013.[1]
Namingedit
The venue was named for Al Worthington. Following a fourteen-season major league career, Worthington came to Liberty in 1974. As the Flames' baseball coach from 1974 to 1986, Worthington compiled a 343-189-1 record. In each of the last 12 of Worthington's 13 seasons, the program had a winning record.[6]
After being named Liberty's athletic director in 1983, Worthington continued to coach baseball until 1986. On May 3, 1986, Liberty's baseball field was dedicated to Worthington during his final home game as baseball coach. The Flames defeated Maryland 19-3.[2]
Referencesedit
^ abc"Demolition at old baseball stadium makes way for new projects". Liberty University News Service. 2013-10-17. Retrieved 6 November 2013.
^ abcdefg. Liberty Flames. Archived from the original on 18 August 2011. Retrieved 19 August 2011.
^ ab. Liberty Flames. Archived from the original on 23 July 2011. Retrieved 19 August 2011.
^ abFoley, Brian (August 10, 2011). "Liberty set to open New Stadium for 2013 Season". College Baseball Daily. from the original on 2012-03-30. Retrieved 21 August 2011.
^. Liberty.edu. 13 May 2012. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
^. Liberty Flames. Archived from the original on 23 July 2011. Retrieved 19 August 2011.
April 12, 2024
worthington, stadium, baseball, venue, campus, liberty, university, lynchburg, virginia, united, states, home, liberty, flames, division, south, conference, opened, 1979, facility, named, former, liberty, baseball, coach, athletic, director, worthington, capac. Al Worthington Stadium was a baseball venue on the campus of Liberty University in Lynchburg Virginia United States It was home to the Liberty Flames of the Division I Big South Conference Opened in 1979 the facility was named for former Liberty baseball coach and athletic director Al Worthington 2 It had a capacity of 2 500 spectators 3 Plans for a new Liberty baseball venue were announced in August 2011 and Liberty Baseball Stadium opened prior to the 2013 season 4 Worthington Stadium was demolished in 2013 1 Al Worthington StadiumLibertyBaseballStadiumFormer namesLiberty Field 1979 1986 Al Worthington Field 1986 1995 LocationWards Road Lynchburg VA United StatesCoordinates37 21 13 N 79 10 49 W 37 353588 N 79 180379 W 37 353588 79 180379OwnerLiberty UniversityOperatorLiberty UniversityExecutive suitesYesCapacity2 500Record attendance3 183 March 28 2008 vs Coastal Carolina SurfaceFieldTurf collar around home plate bermuda grass infield 1999 present natural grass outfieldScoreboardElectronicConstructionOpened1979Renovated1999 2000 2003 2006 2008Expanded2008Closed2012Demolished2013 1 TenantsLiberty Flames baseball NCAA DI Big South 1979 2012 History editThe venue opened in 1979 as Liberty Field Al Worthington was Liberty s head coach at the time On May 3 1986 the field was dedicated Al Worthington Field 2 In 1995 the venue s name was again changed this time to Al Worthington Stadium In 1998 the stadium won Sports Turf Magazine s Diamond of the Year award 2 Beginning in 1999 the stadium underwent a series of renovations In that year a 5 200 ft hitting complex was added located down the left field line Also in 1999 the infield was resurfaced with bermuda grass A new PA system and backstop were installed in 2000 2003 construction added an indoor hitting facility luxury boxes and a clubhouse Renovations completed in 2008 added stadium lighting and additional seating which raised capacity by 600 700 spectators 2 With the addition of stadium lighting Worthington Stadium s first night game was played on March 28 2008 2 On the same night the stadium set a new attendance record of 3 183 spectators 3 Liberty lost the game to Coastal Carolina 5 3 in 11 innings 2 In August 2011 the university announced plans for a new baseball venue The plans called for the venue to be built near Williams Stadium the university s football venue and to hold 3 000 spectators The project was projected to cost roughly 5 million The announcement included plans for Worthington Stadium to become a softball venue 4 The stadium closed following the 2012 season Its final game was played on May 13 2012 in which High Point defeated Liberty 13 11 5 It was demolished in 2013 1 Naming editThe venue was named for Al Worthington Following a fourteen season major league career Worthington came to Liberty in 1974 As the Flames baseball coach from 1974 to 1986 Worthington compiled a 343 189 1 record In each of the last 12 of Worthington s 13 seasons the program had a winning record 6 After being named Liberty s athletic director in 1983 Worthington continued to coach baseball until 1986 On May 3 1986 Liberty s baseball field was dedicated to Worthington during his final home game as baseball coach The Flames defeated Maryland 19 3 2 References edit a b c Demolition at old baseball stadium makes way for new projects Liberty University News Service 2013 10 17 Retrieved 6 November 2013 a b c d e f g Worthington Stadium Liberty Flames Archived from the original on 18 August 2011 Retrieved 19 August 2011 a b Facilities Overview Liberty Flames Archived from the original on 23 July 2011 Retrieved 19 August 2011 a b Foley Brian August 10 2011 Liberty set to open New Stadium for 2013 Season College Baseball Daily Archived from the original on 2012 03 30 Retrieved 21 August 2011 High Point Edges Liberty in Slugfest in Final Game at Worthington Liberty edu 13 May 2012 Archived from the original on 3 March 2016 Retrieved 31 January 2013 Al Worthington Baseball Coach 1974 86 Athletics Director 1983 89 Liberty Flames Archived from the original on 23 July 2011 Retrieved 19 August 2011 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Al Worthington Stadium amp oldid 1174115418, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
